Plenty up for grabs as contenders battle for semi-final spots
The final round of the group stage action in the various hurling championships takes place this weekend and there are still a few interesting matters and placings that need settling, writes Tom Gannon.
Barring a catastrophic collapse from Kildalkey against Clann na nGael, the top three in the SHC Group A are pretty much set.
However, the order in which those three will finish is still undecided. Should all three teams finish level on points then the placings will be decided by a mini league of sorts using the scoring difference from only the three teams involved.
On that basis, as it stands Trim sits top with a plus-three score difference, Kilmessan are second with a minus-one difference and Kildalkey are third on minus-two.
As all three are playing sides in the bottom three, there isn't an opportunity for anyone to improve their scoring differences.
In the highly likely circumstance that all three win their respective last-round games, Group A will finish with Trim on top and advancing directly to the semi-finals, with Kilmessan in second and Kildalkey filling the third spot.
In Group B, the top spot is still up for grabs as Ratoath and Kiltale drew their opening round game.
Top spot will be determined by a straight shootout between the two in their respective encounters.
The lie of the land at the moment is that Kiltale are one point ahead of Ratoath. Technically, third place Killyon can still top this group should they beat Ratoath and Longwood beat Kiltale. So Killyon will certainly be going out with the intent of trying to stun Ratoath.
Longwood on the other hand have nothing to play for so in terms of fixture difficulty, Ratoath have a much tougher task than Kiltale.
Therefore you would imagine Kiltale will advance straight to the semi-final and a nail-biting quarter-final clash between last year's finalists Ratoath and Kildalkey may be on the horizon.
Group A in the IHC could be decided by one game between Donaghmore/Ashbourne and Drumree.
Interestingly enough this game has consequences for Navan O'Mahonys, who as a result of St Peter's withdrawal have no games remaining.
If Drumree beat Donaghmore/Ashbourne they will finish top with Navan O'Mahonys in second and Donaghmore/ Ashbourne finish third. However, if Donaghmore/Ashbourne win, they will finish second, O'Mahonys will top the group and Drumree could end up finishing fourth, if Gaeil Colmcille defeat Wolfe Tones.
It's a hard one to call but Donaghmore/Ashbourne are slightly preferred to get the job done.
Group B sees Rathmolyon and Boardsmill battling it out for the top spot in a winner-takes-all scenario. On recent form, Rathmolyon should have enough to see off Boardsmill's challenge while a win over Trim would see Kildalkey claim the third spot.
In the JHC, All four semi-final spots are still up for grabs but it is expected that they will be filled by Kildalkey, Kiltale, Drumree and Kilmessan.